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Placer gold mines have long been a hot spot for global mining investment due to their wide distribution, ease of extraction, and short investment return cycles. From the vast African continent to the resource-rich Asia-Pacific region, there is significant economic potential.
However, placer gold beneficiation is not a simple task. A successful project requires professional process design, advanced equipment, and extensive project experience. Recently, Xinhai Mining successfully delivered a 200 TPH placer gold gravity–amalgamation processing project in Somaliland, injecting strong momentum into the development of the local mining industry and providing a new benchmark case for global mining investors.
The project undertaken by Xinhai Mining is located in the mineral-rich region of Somaliland. With a designed processing capacity of 200TPH, it is one of the largest placer gold processing projects in the area.
The project was referred by the owner of another 200 TPH gold placer washing project in Somaliland. Despite the referral, the client maintained a rigorous evaluation process and compared multiple manufacturers across China. Ultimately, Xinhai Mining stood out in the fierce competition, earning the client’s trust with its comprehensive strengths — including strong qualifications, support from a professional design institute, and a large-scale equipment manufacturing base.
Currently, the project is in the critical stage of equipment installation, guided on-site by experienced engineers. It is expected to be officially commissioned in the near future. The Xinhai team is working diligently to ensure smooth project delivery and to fulfill its commitment to the client.
Considering the characteristics of the placer gold ore, the Xinhai Mining technical team designed a combined gravity separation–amalgamation process. This process offers advantages such as low cost, high recovery rate, and rapid results. The detailed process is as follows:
The raw placer gold ore is first washed using a trough washer to thoroughly break down and remove clay and mud wrapped around the gold particles, as well as to eliminate large gravel and debris.
After washing, the material is sent to a vibrating screen for classification. Based on particle size, the ore is separated into fractions to prepare for subsequent gravity concentration. Gold particles are typically enriched within the medium to fine particle size range.
The screened material within the target size range proceeds to the gravity separation stage — the core of the entire process. Due to the significantly higher specific gravity of gold compared to gangue minerals, gravity separation is highly effective.
In the Somaliland project, a centrifugal concentrator was selected as the primary gravity separation equipment. The high-speed rotation generates centrifugal force to separate minerals based on density. Fine gold particles quickly settle and are collected as concentrate, while low-density gangue is discharged as tailings.
Gravity separation is widely used in placer gold beneficiation because of its several advantages:
· Simple equipment structure and low investment cost
· Easy operation and stable performance
· High enrichment efficiency and initial purification in one step
The gold concentrate obtained from gravity separation enters the amalgamation stage, which is an effective method for recovering free gold particles.
The concentrate flows over an amalgamation plate, where gold particles come into contact with mercury. Through selective wetting and a chemical reaction, gold forms an amalgam that adheres to the mercury-coated surface. The amalgam is regularly scraped off and processed through filter pressing or distillation to separate the mercury and obtain high-purity sponge gold.
While amalgamation offers high recovery efficiency and a relatively simple process, it also raises environmental concerns. Xinhai implements strict environmental management and control in the process design, including:
· Closed-system operation to minimize mercury vapor emissions
· Efficient mercury recovery system using advanced amalgam distillation equipment to reduce mercury loss and environmental impact
· Treatment of mercury-bearing tailings, including the collection and treatment of mercury-containing tailings and wastewater to ensure compliance with environmental standards
Tailings generated from gravity separation are relatively large in volume but environmentally benign, as no chemical reagents are used. These tailings are treated through thickener, dewatering screens, and filter presses for dry stacking.
Tailings from the amalgamation process, though smaller in volume, must be handled with greater care due to mercury content. These are strictly managed and treated in accordance with environmental protection regulations.
The successful commissioning of the large-scale placer gold project in Somaliland highlights Xinhai Mining’s strong capabilities in undertaking placer gold beneficiation projects. Our key advantages include:
With a processing capacity of 200 TPH, this project showcases Xinhai’s ability to deliver customized design solutions for large-scale operations. The Xinhai Mining Design Institute is staffed with over 80 experts across 18 disciplines, including geology, mining, mineral processing, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and automation. Multidisciplinary teams are tailored to each project to provide integrated and efficient design services.
Located in Yantai, Shandong Province, the Xinhai Intelligent Industrial Park spans approximately 110,000 square meters. It is capable of manufacturing large-scale mining and beneficiation equipment and producing customized machinery for each project, ensuring stable, efficient production that meets operational standards.
Xinhai offers comprehensive EPCM+O services covering the entire project lifecycle—from mine design, equipment manufacturing and procurement, to installation guidance, commissioning, and operation. With extensive project experience, Xinhai ensures on-time, high-quality project delivery.
Even when employing amalgamation processes, Xinhai places environmental protection at the forefront. Through optimized process design and strict operational control, we minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable project development.
Since its establishment, Xinhai has served more than 2,000 mining projects worldwide, including numerous placer gold beneficiation projects. Based on specific ore characteristics and project needs, we can provide tailored mineral processing solutions. In addition to the gravity–amalgamation combined process, available options include single gravity separation, gravity + shaking table concentration, and other customized flowsheets.
Conclusion
Placer gold projects are characterized by low investment and operational costs, fast returns, and mature processing technologies. If you are considering a placer gold mining investment or seeking to optimize your current beneficiation process, feel free to contact us. Xinhai provides:
• Free technical consultation
• Customized process design
• Comprehensive EPCM+O services
Let Xinhai help you unlock the full potential of your placer gold resources.
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